TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Virginia Tech won't have its top veteran cornerback on the field when it faces Alabama in Atlanta to open the 2013 season.

Senior Antone Exum, who tore his ACL and suffered a broken bone in his knee during an offseason pick-up basketball game, won't play against the Crimson Tide and could be out until October, Virginia Tech trainer Mike Goforthtold reporters Monday.

Exum met with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday as Virginia Tech opened its preseason camp in Blacksburg, Va.

“Upon
exam, he still feels like Antone is a little ways away, strength-wise
and trusting the knee,” Goforth
said, according to the Roanoke Times. “They recommended increasing certain exercises and re-testing in
two months."

Defensive backs coach Torrian Graytold the Roanoke Times that the Hokies are considering Exum's career beyond his senior season when they lay out a timetable for his return.

"As
a player and a competitor, yeah, he’d like to play against Alabama and
we would love to have him against Alabama," Gray said, "but right now we’ve got to
roll with what we’re getting."

Exum led Virginia Tech with five interceptions last season. He also had 48 tackles and 16 pass breakups. In March, Exum, while heavily medicated, said he told Andrews immediately after his surgery that he would play against Alabama.